ASSESSMENT OF FUTURE CLIMATE PROJECTIONS IN ALGERIA USING STATISTICAL DOWNSCALING MODEL

In this study, we assess the future changes in minimum temperature (T-min), maximum temperature (T-max), and precipitation (PRCP) for the three periods the 2020s (2011–2040), the 2050s (2041–2070), and the 2080s (2071–2100), with respect to the reference period 1981–2010 over Algeria focusing on a validation of the Statistical DownScaling Model (SDSM). In this approach, to underpin our analysis, we evaluate statistically the SDSM performance by simulating the historical temperatures and precipitation. The NCEP reanalysis data and CanESM2 predictors of three future scenarios, RCP2.6, RCP4.5, and RCP8.5 are used for model calibration and future projection, respectively. The projected climate changes resulting from the application of SDSM show a convincing consistency with those unveiled in previous studies over Algeria based on dynamical regional climate model outputs conducted in the context of Middle East-North Africa region. By the end of the century, the results exhibit strong warming for both extreme temperatures under the worst-case scenario (RCP 8.5), it is more pronounced for the T-max and over the Algerian Sahara region. Under the optimistic scenario (RCP2.6), the strength of the warming is expected to increase for both extreme temperatures. The projected changes of precipitation revealed for all scenarios several discrepancies with significant decrease over the northwest region and central Sahara, while nonsignificant change is projected for the center and eastern coastal regions. Our findings corroborate previous studies using sophisticated tools by demonstrating that Algeria’s climate is expected to warm further in the future. These primary findings could give an overview of the application of the statistical modeling approach using SDSM over a semi-arid and arid vulnerable region like Algeria and would extend our knowledge in the climate-modelling field for the North Africa zone by providing an added value to the existing GCMs and regional climate projections. In addition, reliable information regarding the magnitude of future changes at local scale may be used in impact models to assess changes of other key economic sector variables such as water resources management, energy and agriculture.